What did you do at the range today?

[43.6N]

It's been a slow start to the work week, since we are putting the finishing touches on a couple of things that have consumed a lot of time and energy the past four years, so I got back out to the range again today. After a five-mile "hike" on the treadmill and a one-mile walk with the dog, I drove out to the range all cold and sweaty. It was one of those days that says, "40 degrees, feels like 33." In the shade on the range, with the wind blowing, it felt like 23 to me. I was the only one at the rifle range.

I started off sighting in my new T1X (thanks, Jake @EuroOptic !).

Then I shot a 25-round group to see what it and I were capable of from the bench. A couple of flyers there, but not terrible.

I had one failure to feed out of 50 rounds fired. I'll have to keep an eye on my 10-round magazines and see if it becomes a trend.

I played some scope roulette last night. I moved the Trijicon AccuPoint 3-9x40 back onto the CZ 527 in 6.5mm Grendel. That's a really nice rifle and it deserves a good scope, but it doesn't need one that can dial.

I got it sighted in again and I am quite happy with its performance. It really likes Hornady Black 123-grain ELDMs.

Then, having moved the Trijicon off the Sauer 100 6.5 CM, I put on the SWFA 3-9x40. This was my first time using that scope "for real" and I really, really like it. The reticle is great. It's very clear. The adjustments are nice and crisp. Unfortunately, I think I may have discovered why my Sauer 100 isn't shooting great groups.

Oh no. That’s really sad to see. Weren’t you saying you were really impressed with how beautiful the grain on the sauer was too?

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Oh no. That’s really sad to see. Weren’t you saying you were really impressed with how beautiful the grain on the sauer was too?

Yes, it has pretty wood. I think that crack merits a trip back to the factory though…

 

[RockAndSage]

Yes, it has pretty wood. I think that crack merits a trip back to the factory though…

That's quite a bummer on that crack.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I am probably right that the crack probably explains why the best group I have had from that rifle is 1.8”, right? And the groups have been getting worse, not better.

Edit - I already contacted Sauer. I'll see what they have to say.

 

[bnewt3]

Hopefully they can get you something comparable.

 

[Austin Kaufman]

Zero check on a new bullet lot and shot some prs practice stages with the 223 and 6 creed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[thinhorn_AK]

shot some 22 off my porch at my 50 and 75yd steel plates, that’s as far as I can get because of the woods unless I want to go to the shooting range.

I was just practing shooting offnof sticks and my pack.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

The last time I was out here at the farm, I lay down about 423 yards from my 12” steel and took five shots at it with my .223. At the time, I couldn’t really see or hear if I was hitting it, but it appears that I did alright. This is my view looking down from the target.

This is the 12” target. Need to work on the windage and elevation a bit, but otherwise happy.

 

[BLJ]

Nice place.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Let’s try this again from 464 yards.

Cold day.

Cold “shooting mat.”

Cold bore.

Hot sun coming up to provide warmth?
Or just glare?

60% of the time it works all the time!

 

[BLJ]

Any wind??
Vertical looks good.

ETA.

That wasn’t a criticism about the shot.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Any wind??
Vertical looks good.

ETA.

That wasn’t a criticism about the shot.

I did not perceive any wind. That usually starts whipping around after the sun comes over the mountain.

I think I should have used my Quick Drop number (1.5) for elevation instead of what the app gave me. That would have been dialing 3.1 or 3 instead of 3.2. That would have put it a couple of inches lower. One of those shots hit the mining belt.

I would like to figure out why I am about four inches off center on those shots.

 

[Chris in TN]

Shot my 6.8spc at 440 yards. First shot was insufficient windage, low and left.
I held another minute windage and sent nine more shots.

But that’s not ten impacts. It’s nine.

My 6.8 still has a holdover scope with elevation hashes. In a hurry I held the wrong dot on one shot and I’m pretty sure I put that one low into the ground. Which is why I hate holdovers. One hash mark is fine. Two is ok. Beyond that it’s hard to count in a hurry.

Either way - not terrible for a gas gun:



Painted the plate and went back to shoot again.

Switched to the kids 6.5cm.

Two shots at 440.
Two at 500
Two at 550. I knew one of the high shots was high - I was aware that I’d crawled the stock (prone w/compact stock, not ideal).

The last paint I bought is terrible but there’s two shots at the 4 o’clock splotch, one at 9, 10, 1, and 2.

Not terrible. The compact tikka stock really isn’t ideal for prone. But I’m at least enjoying having access to 550 yards now.

 

[43.6N]

Shot my 6.8spc at 440 yards. First shot was insufficient windage, low and left.
I held another minute windage and sent nine more shots.

But that’s not ten impacts. It’s nine.

My 6.8 still has a holdover scope with elevation hashes. In a hurry I held the wrong dot on one shot and I’m pretty sure I put that one low into the ground. Which is why I hate holdovers. One hash mark is fine. Two is ok. Beyond that it’s hard to count in a hurry.

Either way - not terrible for a gas gun:

View attachment 1029410

Painted the plate and went back to shoot again.

Switched to the kids 6.5cm.

Two shots at 440.
Two at 500
Two at 550. I knew one of the high shots was high - I was aware that I’d crawled the stock (prone w/compact stock, not ideal).

The last paint I bought is terrible but there’s two shots at the 4 o’clock splotch, one at 9, 10, 1, and 2.

Not terrible. The compact tikka stock really isn’t ideal for prone. But I’m at least enjoying having access to 550 yards now.

View attachment 1029415

Not bad for holdovers.
I like your measuring plank.

 

[Chris in TN]

Not bad for holdovers.
I like your measuring plank.

lol. That used to be a 2x6, so it’s ~5.5” wide. Only measuring device I had handy. I keep meaning to either stick a tape in the SxS or measure the height of a paint can and use that for a reference.

That dropped shot is a great object lesson in why holdovers and mildots and BDCs work better on paper than in reality.

 

[43.6N]

lol. That used to be a 2x6, so it’s ~5.5” wide. Only measuring device I had handy. I keep meaning to either stick a tape in the SxS or measure the height of a paint can and use that for a reference.

That dropped shot is a great object lesson in why holdovers and mildots and BDCs work better on paper than in reality.

So on your 550yd target that’s your 1moa calibration tool?

And I agree completely about your sentiment on bdc and holdovers

 

[MD97756]

ruger American gen II 6 creed. Adjusted zero, dialed and shot 277yds to 941yds. Lots of first round impacts. 941 first round was high and left. Next 2 were good

 

[BLJ]

measure the height of a paint can and use that for a reference.

Measure the bottom of the paint can.
Gotta have goals.

 

[Chris in TN]

So on your 550yd target that’s your 1moa calibration tool?

lol. No. That’s just for measuring groups. Held wind in the reticle.

(I don’t shoot this rifle often. I never intended it to be a long range rifle. Long story…)

 

[justinspicher]

Did a bullet comparison today. Used my 16” KAC with a NF NX8 1-8x. Shot off a bench using a bipod and rear bag.

Left is Freedom Munitions 77gr OTM in 556.

Right is Fiocchi 77gr SMK in 223.

I waited 10 minutes between groups.